More by Wolfgang

Now in his 20th year of catering the Oscars Governors Ball, Wolfgang Puck takes the menu to new heights. This year the stars will dine on Goulash, Buttermilk Chicken and Creamy Grits, gourmet grilled cheese and other Puck specialities served on small plates so the stars may socialize while they nosh.

Wolfgang’s traditional Hungarian recipe (below) for Beef Short Rib Goulash with Spaetzle is among the many dishes served at the hottest Oscars party in Hollywood.

Directions

Goulash:

Put the caraway seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Toast, stirring constantly, until fragrant and slightly darkened, 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl to cool. Grind in a spice grinder. Set aside.

In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sugar and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onions turn a medium caramel-brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the caraway and garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute longer.

Stir in the tomato paste and vinegar. Add the broth, raise the heat, and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan deposits. Add the beef, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer and cook, partially covered, until the beef is very tender, about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Before serving, remove the bay leaf, taste the sauce, and adjust the seasonings, if necessary, with salt and pepper.

Spaetzle:

In a small bowl, beat together the yolks, egg, and milk.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add the melted butter and the egg mixture and mix by hand until well blended. Do not overmix. Cover and refrigerate to rest for at least 1 hour.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Place a large mixing bowl filled with ice and water on the counter near the sink.

Place a large-holed metal colander on top of the pot. Put the batter in the colander and, with the back of a large spoon, force the batter through the holes into the water to form spaetzle. Cook until the spaetzle rise to the surface, 4 to 5 minutes.

Drain and instantly transfer the spaetzle to the ice water. When cool to the touch, drain well. Transfer to a bowl and stir in half the oil. (At this point you can cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.)

Before serving, heat a large sauté pan over high heat Add the remaining oil and the spaetzle. Cook for 2 minutes without moving the pan, to brown their undersides. Add the butter pieces and sauté, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley.

Serving:

To serve, spoon the spaetzle onto heated plates or into large shallow serving bowls for main courses, or into small bowls for hors-d’oeuvres. Spoon the meat and sauce alongside and over the spaetzle.